Currency cutting and signing machine.



WT-N55555:

A. 0. LA MAY. CURRENCY CUTTING AND SIGNING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED DBG.-1, 19101 LOQQJ 991 Patented June 11,1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET lv ,4 Ayjjwr 6' la May A. 0. LA MAY. CURRENCY CUTTING AND SIGNING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEG.1.1910.

2 A. N W @W y Lm u Wm A NH I I E mm 0 W8 JH ml Mm w a K- m P vl A A. 0. LA MAY.

CURRENCY CUTTING AND SIGNING MA CHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 1, 1910.

Patented June 11, 1912.

LUQJQQ,

3 SHEBTSSHEET 3.

INVEN E Arthur 6. La Ma ED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR G. I LA MAY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO ROBERT BANNARD AND THOMAS J. SWANTON, BOTH ,OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

CURRENCY Corrine Ania srenme MACHINE.

Application filed. December 1, 1910. Serial No. 595,105.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR C. LA MAY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Rochester, in the. county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented a new ering the bills and for trimming the outer edges of the outside bills in the sheet and also to means for printing upon the bills, when desired, a facsimile of the authorized signature. I prefer to provide means for printing a facsimile of either the same or different signatures upon opposite corners of the severed bills and as an additional protecticn against counterfeiting I prefer that the signature printed in the two different places on the bill be effected by materially different methods. For printing upon the bills at one place a facsimile of the author-- ized signature I prefer. to make use vof a thin sheet of metalwith the signature'embossed thereon and the metal comprising such plate heated sufiiciently to slightly scorch the paper in effecting, the printing on the bills and there maybe, when desired, used simultaneously an ink 'applied to the embossed plate by means of an inking roller and in this way the ink may be carried more fully Into the fiber of the paper. For printing the signatures on the bills on the other place -I- may make use of plain electrotypes cooperating with suitable supporting surfaces, and the electrotypes may preferably be carried by segments secured to the large cutter disks while the supporting surface may be similarly secured to the smallercutting disks. The electrotypes may be supplied with ink of any suitable character from the inking roller which may preferably revolve in contact with a larger roller adapted to receive and carry a suitable quantity of the ink and from which the smaller engaging roller is supplied by rolling in contact therewith. For cutting the bills I prefer to make use of a series of cooperating and adjustably supported rotary cutters and for attaching the '1 facsimile of the proper party to the bills I prefer to employ a rotating printing surface width of four bills ing the bills before they are cut.

comprising a segment of a roller and 0061;)- eratlng therewith a segmentally arranged supportfor the bill, the peripheral speed of these two members being the same.

The accompanying drawings showing a preferred embodiment of myinvention are as follows,-

Figure 1 is a side view of the machine. Fig. 2 is a rear view ofthe machine with part of the casing for inclosing the upper cutters removed. Fig. 3 is a side view of the means for actuating the sheet gripping mechanlsm. Figs. 4 and 5 are vertical sectional views taken on the line my of Fig. 6 showing the parts to the right and to the left respectively of such line. Fig. 6 shows the means for supplying the electriocurr'ent to the printing mechanism and shows apart of the left hand end of the machine with reference to Fig. 2 and in a view similar to that seen in Fig. 2 but enlarged and with the parts in substantially the same relative positions as shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 7 shows in plan view apart of the table for receiv- Fig. 8 is a side View of a modification of the printing and inking rollers. Fig. 9 shows, in a View similar to Fig. 6, the second printing mech-,, anlsm while Fig. 10 is a side View of the parts seen in Fig. 9 showing alsothe other features of the machine cooperating therewith. 11 shows a severed bill with two signatures thereon the second signature appearing on the reverse side of the bill as indica'ted in dotted lines.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several Views.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive of the drawings,--The frame work of my machine comprises apair of side members A and A connected together by suitable brace or tie rods 1- and by a table '1. On the. table T are provided fences or guides 15 and t to receive and hold the sheets M .of bills properly alined when stacked thereon. In these frame members A and A are provided bearings for the main shaft S rotated by means of a crank B This shaft S is grooved peripherally, as indicated, and, is splined to receivea key or feather carried by the hub 0 ofeach of the cutters C and each of such for rigidly securing such disks on the shaft S and near the end'thereof but just inside the frame-members A and A On the shaft S there are secured a series of segments it each carried by an arm U v provided with a hub having a set screw for rigidly securing the same on the shaft S.

These segments comprise the means for supporting the bills just under the printing with the outer end of a spring grip member, (1 the other end of which is secured to a block d carried -b will beseen that t e rod P and the bar D segment with which they cooperate in the manner to be explained.

Between the disks B there extends a rod P secured to the disks B and having collars p secured thereon, each adapted to cooperate the bar D whereby it and the grip springs d are all rotated simultaneously with the disks B and the cutters G on the shaft, S together also with the printing segments u. i

The shaft S carries on its extreme right hand end a spur 'gear L meshing with a spur gear L secured on-the right hand end, with reference to Fig. 2, of'the upper shaft Son which are rigidly secured the printing segments V by means of set screws threaded through the hubs thereof as indicated in Fig. 4:. This shaft S is also splined to receive keys or feathers carried by the hubs 0 of the upper cutters C each one of which is therefore longitudinally slidable on the shaft S and is held in cooperative relation with and against the corresponding cutter 0 by means of a spiral spring .9 engaging against its hub 0 at one end and against the hub 12 of the corresponding printing segment V at the other end. Each of these printing segments is provided with an insulating section '0 within and upon which is secured the thin sheet of metal n em bossed with the name thereon in a series of dots'as indicated in Figs. 2, 4 and 6. One end of each of these plates or sheets 4) is connected with one of the leading wires w, the other leading wire 'w being similarly connected to the other end of each of the printing plates '0. These wires .10 and 'w extend through segmental slots therefor 0 in the cutters C to permit angular adj ustment of the printing wheels V, and are secured at their left hand ends,-with refer ence to Figs. 2 and 6, one to each of the insulating rings W and respectively, upon which bear the springs 10 and Q03 insulatingly supported and having the supply wires 1 and 2 connected thereto for supplyingcurrent from any source of electric energy such as indicated diagrammatically by the battery Z in Fig. .6.

Refer now to Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6,()n the insides of the frame members A and A as indicated in Figs. 2, 3 and 6, are seen cams J segmentally formed and adapted normally to spring inwardly toward the correspond- 1ng disk B. Each of these springs J is forced outwardly toward the end plate of the machine by the corresponding pin f as the shaft S is rotated in a clockwise direction with reference to Fig. 3. A spring i secured to the disk B and to the lower arm of the lever F serves to keep each of the levers F in the position shown in Fig. 3 with reference to the. disk B at the left hand end of the machine with reference to Figs. 2 and 6.

The bar D has a shoulder on each of its ends "and a threaded extension engaging through a suitable hole therefor in the corresponding disk'B and, is secured thereinby means of a nut, one of which nuts is seen in Fig. 3 at d. On this bar D are secured four blocks or brackets (1 to each of which is screwed one of the segmental gripping springs (1 adapted normally tosprin'g inwardly with suflicient force to grip a sheet of bills against the cooperatingcollar 2, above described, carriedon the rod'P. Each of the springs d has inserted therethrough the shouldered and threaded upper end of a bolt (1 held in placetherein. by means of a nut on its upper end, as seen in Figs. 3 and 4, and each of these bolts d rests at its lower end on a bar H. This bar H extends through suitable segmental slots therefor 0 in the cutters C and also through the disks B and on the ends of such bar pro 1' ecting' through the slot therefor in the disks B are revolubly secured rollers h adapted to engage the camsgG, while the bar H engages into suitable notches f therefor in the levers F which, when the parts arein the positions. indicated in Figs. 3 and 4, tend to hold the -ipping springs d outwardly, away from t e coiiperatin gripping members p carried on.- the rod insertion of a sheet of bills thereunder.

When the parts are in the position indicated in- Fig. 3 a continued rotation of the shaft S over to the right does not change the relation of the parts as the rollers It freelyride over the projections g on the cams G, and the pins f carried by the levers F force, at each successlv rotation, the springs J to permit the outwardly,

. ness to grip the paper, a slight backward rotation over to the left of the shaft S causes the pins f to engage againstthe right hand ends of the springs J and the levers F are thereby swung over to the right to permit the bar H to be forced inwardly or downwardly under the influence of the springs 03 in which the upper ends of the rod d are secured. For properly guiding the bar H in the slots therefor are, secured to such bar, links it articulating upon pins k on the outer surfaces of the dlsks B'.

The shafts S and S are revolubly sup ported in the end pieces A of the upper cas-- ing of the machine which between such end pieces is conformed to engage over and cover the upper cutters C and the printing segments V and thisv entire frame work A is pivotally supported upon studs a extending outwardly through and oscillable in ears carried by the frame plates A and A and is held in closed position by means of thumb screws a engaging in suitably threaded holes therefor in the frame pieces A and A On the under side of the table T which may, if desired be of wood are secured a series of fingers e the curvature of which is substantially formed to the pitch line of the gears L and L and also the pitch line of the cutters C and C in order to support the sheets of bills which are carried thereover while being cut. The parts are shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 6 in readiness to grip a' sheet .of bills. Starting with the parts in such position the operation is as follows,-'

The uppermost sheet of bills from the pile M thereof on the table T is forced to the right with reference to Fig. 4 so that its forward edge engages under the springs (Z and the shaft S by means of the crank B thereon ismoved backwardly or to the left with reference to Figs. 3 and 4: sufliciently to disengage the lever F from the bar H permitting such bar to drop, and the rollers h thereon to engage the portions g of the cams G, thus releasing the bolts (Z? and permit ting the springs d to grip the forward ends.

of the sheet of. bills against the gripping members 1) on therod P. The shaft S is then rotated overto the right a complete revolution and the sheet M is held at the forward end of each bill therein by one of the springs d until the rollers h come into contact with the projections g on the cams G, when the bar H is forced outwardly carrying with .it the rods d and the springs d, which are then forced to and held'in the position indicated in Figs. 3 and 4 disengaged from the bills which latter are permitted to drop into a suitable tray or receptacle M therefor asseen in Figs. 1 and 2. This action is repeated until all the bills have been cut. When the rollers 71. are on the projections 9. of the cams G the projections f on the levers F are held under the bar H by the springs f and support such bar in its upper position, as indicated in Fig. 3, after the rollers have left the projection g of the cams G and until the shaft S has been given a slight backward-rotation for releasing the bar H in the manner above described.

During each rotation of the shaft S the shaft S? makes two rotations and each printing plate 0 is inked from the corresponding roller and is brought against a bill printing the signature thereon and the bill, during the printing is supported by a segmental section it earned by an arm U se. cured on the shaft S. Each segment u and each printing segment V also may be so adjusted angularly as to vary within a. reasonable range the location of the signatures on the bills. The table T is provided with guides or fences t and t the former adjustable to the slight variations in the sizes of the sheets.

The inking rollers 71: are carried by a shaft S revolubly supported, as above described,

and in order to maintain a proper supply of ink on the rollers is I may make use of the arrangement shown in Fig. 8 to which referenceis now made. In this arrangement I provide an ink carrying member K conformed to complete the wheel of which the member V carrying the printing plate '0 is a segment and this ink carrying member K may be impregnated with ink sufficient to supply the inking roller is for a considerable length of time in the operation of the machine. It will be seen at once that the roller 7.: is continuously rotated by contact with the segment of the printing plate 4) and the ink carrying member K and that while it is in contact with such ink carrying member Kit. receives ink therefrom which in turn is delivered to the printing segment v when in contact therewith.

Referring now to Figs. 9, 10 and 11,- For printing the second signature on the reverse side of the sheets-or bills I secure to the cutters C the slotted segments U by means of suitable bolts as indicated engaging through the slot in the segments U These segments U carry the printing surfaces or axially extendin segments a adapted to cooperate with which are seen the supporting segments V bolted to the upper cutters C These printing segments u carry the type for effecting the printing and the type on each segment are adapted to receive a suitable supply of ink, on each rotation of the shaft S, from a suitable inking roller n to which ink is supplied from a the roller 12 revolves and operating to draw the roller n against .the roller n The roller 11, is revolubly supported in bearings in'the frame piece N while the fixed rod n upon which the roller 11. revolves is supported at each end -in a slot in this frame piece N. This frame piece N is pivotally supported at its upper left hand corner in ears '11. extending downwardly from the plate T secured to the side members A and A while thetable T is recessed on the under side-to receive the plate T Each ofxthe frame members N' is adjustably held in position by means of a thumb nut n threaded on a bolt n extending downwardly from the underside of the plate T and above the right hand end, with reference ,to Fig. 1 of each frame Nis seen a spring operating normally to swing the frame N downwardly to cause the roller 11. to engage against-and suitably supply the printing segments M with ink.

When the printing mechanism adapted to print' the signature on the reverse side ofthe bills m of the sheets M is made use of,

as seen in Figs. 9 and 10, it is preferable to employ a table such as shown at T in Fig. 10 pivotally supported upon a rod Z by means of the staples 2 secured therein. In the mechanism shown as arranged in Figs. 9 and 10.; the signature is adapted to be printed on the'same ends of the sheet but on opposite sides; any desired adjustment of the relative positions between the locations of the signatures lengthwise of the bill may be provided for by angularly adjusting the printing mechanism.

It is believed from the foregoing description that the construction and method of using my bill cutting and signature printing .machine are sufficiently clear to call for no further explanation herein. a

What .I'claim is 1. In a device for the purpose described,

two cooperating series of rotary cutters supported upon substantially parallel and revo-,

lubly supported shafts; means for cooperatively rotating the two series of cutters at substantially the same peripheral speed; a

series of pairs of relatively movable grippers carried by the .first shaft, such grippersbeing spring actuated to normally clamp the paper between them; a fixed cam and means engaging the cam and connected to the grippers permitting the grippers to as-- sume clamping positions at a predetermined initial gripping point in each rotation of the first shaft and operating to open the grippers at a second fixed point in 'each such rotation of the shaft; means for holding the grippers in their open positions independent of acontinuous forward rotation of the shaft; means adapted to disengage such holding means on a movement of the shaft backward from a point slightly advanced angularly from the initial gripping position and means for arresting a backward movement of the shaft at such initial gripping point and a series of supporting segments carried by the first shaft and cooperating therewith a series of printing segments carried by the second shaft and means for inking'such printing segments. I

2. In a device for the purpose described, two cooperating series of rotary cutters supported upon substantially parallel and revolubly supported shafts; means for cooperatively rotating the two series of cutters at substantially the same peripheral speed; a series of pairs of relatively movable grippers carried by the first shaft, such grippers being spring actuated to normally clamp the paper between them; a fixed cam and means engaging the cam and connected to the grippers permitting the grippers to assume clampingipositions at a predetermined initial gripping point in each rotation of the ,first shaft and operating to open the grippers at a second fixed point in each such rotation of the shaft; means for holding the grippers in their open positions independent of a continuous forward rotation of theshaft; means adapted to disen age such holding means on a movement 0 the shaft backward from a oint slightly advanced angularly from the mitial gripping position and means for arresting a backward movement of the shaft at such initial gripping point; a series of supporting segments car-- ried by the first sh aft and cooperating therewith a series of printing segments carried by the second shaft and means for inking such printing segments and asource of electric energy and means for connecting the chara'c ters on the printing segments thereto for heating the characters. T I

3. In a device for the purpose described, two cooperating series of rotary cutters supported upon substantially parallel and revolubly supported shafts; means for co- 'operatively rotati g'the' two series of cutters at substantia ly the same peripheral speed; a series of pairs of relatively movable grippers carried by the first shaft, such grippers being spring actuated-to normally clamp the paper between them; a fixed cam and means engaging the cam and connected to the grippers permittingthe grippers to assume clamping positions at a predetermined initial gripping point in each rotation of the first shaft and operating to open the grippers at a second fixed point in each such rotation of the shaft; means for holding the grippers in their open positions independent of a continuous forward rotation of the shaft; means adapted to disengage such holding means on a movement of the shaft backward from a point slightly advanced angularly from-the initial gripping position and means for arresting a backward movement of the shaft at such 30 initial gripping point; a series of printing segments carried by the first shaft and cooperating therewith; a series of supporting segments carried by the second shaft and means for inking the printing segments.

4. In a device for the purpose described, two'cooperating series of rotary cutters supported upon substantially parallel and revolubly supported shafts; means for c0- operatively rotating the two series of cutspeed; a series of pairs of relatively movable gripperscarri'ed by the first shaft, such I grippers being spring actuated to normally clamp the paper between them; a fixed cam and means engaging the cam and connected to the grippers permit-ting thegrippers to assume clamping positions at a predetermined initial gripplng point in eachrotation of the first shaft and operating to open the grippers at a second fixed point in' each such rotation of.the shaft; means for holding the grippers in their open positions independent of a continuous forward rotation of the shaft; means adapted to disengage such holding means on a movement' of the shaft backward from a point slightly advanced angularly from the initial gripping position and means for arresting a backward movement of the shaft at such initial gripping point; a series of support- I ing segments carried by the first shaft and cotiperating therewith; a series of printing segments carried by the second shaft and means for inking such printing segments;

a source of electric energy and means for connecting the characters on the printing segments thereto for heating the characters;

a series of printing segments carried by the 40 first shaft and cooperating therewith a series of supporting segments carried by the sec-' ond' shaft and means for inking the last named printing segments.

5. In a device for the purpose described,-

two cooperating series of rotary cutters,

supported upon'substantially parallel and revolubly supported shafts; means for cooperatively rotating the two series of cut ters at substantially the same peripheralspeed; a series of pairs'of relatively movable grippers carried by the first shaft, such grippers beingspring actuated to normally clamp the paper between them; a fixed cam and means engaging the cam andconnected 5% to the grippers permitting the grippers to assume clampin positions at a predetermined initial gripping point in each rotation of-the first shaft and operating to open the grippers at a second fixed point in each M such rotation of the shaft; means for holding the grippers in theiropen positions independent of a continuous forward rota-' tion of the shaft; means adapted to disen-- gage such'holding' means on a movement of the shaft backward from a point slightly 1' advanced angularly from the initial gripping position; means for arresting a back ward movement of the shaftfatsuchin'itial gripping point; means adapted to receive and aline the edges of the sheets prior to '10 the engagement thereof by the grippers and a printing mechanism adapted to engage and print upon the sheets a series of im-- PI'GSSIOIIS properly positioned on each indi vidual strip, to,be cut therefrom. ters at substantially the same peripheral 1 6. In a device for the purpose described;

two cooperating series of rotary cutters supported upon substantially parallel and revolubly supported shafts; means for; co-

operatively rotating the two series of cutt ers at substantially the same peripheral speed; a series of pairs of relatively mov- 'able. grippers carried by the first shaft;

means independent of a continuous forward rotation of the shaft permitting the grippers to remain in open position but operating upon a backward rotation thereof from a point slightly in advance of a predetermined initial gripping pointito force the grippers into clamping position; means tending i to force the grippers to open position at a predetermined point in. each rotation of the shaft and a rotary printing mechanism cooperatively supported with the cut-ting mechanism and adapted to be actuated therewith.

7. In a device for the purpose described, two cooperating series of rotary cutters supported uponsubstantially parallel and revolubly supported shafts; means for cooperatively rotating the two series of cutters at substantially the same peripheral speed; a series of pairs of-relatively movable grip pers carried by thefirst shaft; means inde-. pendent of a continuous forward rotation of the shaft permitting the grippers to remain in open position but operating upon a backward rotation thereof from a point slightly in advance of a predetermined ini tia gripping point to force the grippers into clamping posltion; means tending toforce the grippers to openposition at a'predetermined point in each ,rotation of the shaft and a series of supporting segments carried by the first shaft and cooperating therewith; a series of printing segments, carried by-the second shaft and ,means for inking such printing segments. I

8. In a device for the purpose described, two cotiperating series of rotary cutters supported upon substantially parallel and revolubly supported shafts; means for cooperatively rotating the two series of cutters at substantially the same peripheral s eed; a series of pairs of relatively movab e grippers carried by'the first shaft; means independent of aicontinuous forward rotation of the 'shaftpermitting the grippers to remain in open position but operating upon a back ward rotation thereof from a point slightly 1 I in advance of a predetermined initial gripping point to force the grippers into clampposition; means tending toforce the grippers to open position at a predetermined point in each rotation of the shaft; a series v of supporting segments carried by the first shaft and cooperating therewith; a series of printing segments carried by the second the shaft permitting the grippers to remain 'lso shaft and means for inking suchprinting segments and a source of electric energy and means for connecting the characters on the printing segments thereto for heating the characters.

9. In a device for the purpose described, two cooperating series of rotary cutters supported uponsubstantially parallel and revolubly supported shafts';,- means for coop? eratively rotating the two series of cutters at substantially the same peripheral speed; a series of pairs of relatively movable grippers carried by therfirst shaft, means independent of a continuous forward rotation of in open position but operating upon a backward rotation'thereof from a point slightly in advanceof a predetermined initial'grip: ping point to forcethe grippers into clamping position; means tending to force the grippers to open position at av predetermined point in each rotation of the shaft and a series of printing segments carried by the shaft and cooperating therewith; a series ing segments.

'of supporting segments carried by the sec- 0nd shaft and means for inking the print- 10. In a device vfor the purpose described; two cooperating series of rotary cutters supupon substantially parallel and revolubly supportedshafts; means for cooperatively rotating the two series of 'cutters at substantially the same peripheral speed;

a series of pairs of relatively movable grip- 1 pers carried-by the firstshaft; means nudependent of a continuous forward rotation of the shaft permitting the grippers to remain in open position but operating upon:

a backward rotation thereof from a point slightly in advance of a predetermined initial gripping point to force the grippers into clam'pmg position; means tending to a force the grippers to .open position at a predetermined point in each rotation of the shaft; a series af supporting segments carried by the first shaft and cooperating therewith; a series of printing segmentscarried by'the second shaft and means for inking such printing segments; a source of electric energy and means for connecting the characters on the printing segments thereto for heating the characters and a series of printing segments carried by the first shaft and cooperating therewith; a series ofsupporting segments carried by the second shaft and means for inking the last named printing segments.

force the 11. In a device for the purpose described,-

'shaft; 'means'ada ted-to receive and aline theedgesof the s eets prior to the engagement thereof by the grippers anda printing mechanism adapted to-engager and print upon the sheets a series ofimpressions roperly positioned oneach individual strip to be cut therefrom, I n 1 12. In a device forthe purpose described, two cooperating series of rotary cutters supported upon substantially parallel and revolubly supported shaft-s; means for cooperatively rotatin the two, series of cutters atsubstantially t e same peripheral speed; a seriesiof relatively movable grippers car.

Fred by the first shaft, such grippers spring actuatedcto normally 'clampthe paper between them; a fixed cam and-means engaging the cam and connectedjto the grippers permitting the grippers toassume clamping positions at a predetermined initial iping point in each rotation of the first s a and operating to open the grippers at a second fixed point in each such rotation of the shaft means for-holding the in their open positions permitting a continuous forward rotation of the shaft; means adapted to dis-l engage such holding means on a movement of the shaft backward from a point slightly advanced angularly 1 from; the initial gripping position and means" for arresting a backward movement of the shaft at such initial gripping point; a series of'sup ing segments "carried 'by the first shaftand cooperating therewith; a series of printing segments carried by the second shaft; means for inking such printing shaft and coiiperating therewith;';a series of supporting segments carried bythelsecond inking last named shaft and fneans for printing se ents.

13. In a evice for the purpose described, ;1'25.

two cooperating series of rotary 'cutterssupported HPOII' substantially parallel and revolubi supported shafts; means for.

tive y rotating the two series of cutterstat substantiallythe same peripheral speed -"a series of pairs of relat vely inovab .rt-@ 1 p0 cuts; aseries of printing segments carried by the first pers carried by the first shaft; means independent of a continuous forward rotation of the shaft permitting the grippers to remain in open position but operating-upon a backward rotation thereof from a point slightly in advance of a predetermined initial gripping point to force'the grippers into clamping position; means tending to force the grippers to open position at a predetermined point in each rotation of the shaft; a series of supporting segments carried by the first shaft and cooperating therewith; a series of printing segments carried by the second shaft; means for inking such printing segments; a series of printing segments carried by the first shaft and cooperating therewith; a series of supporting segments carried by the second shaft and means for inking the last named segments.

145111 a device for the purpose described,

two series of rotary cutters supported upon a substantially parallel and revolubly sup-- ported shafts and means for rotating the cutters of both series at substantially the same peripheral speed; a gripping mechanism'carried by and rotating with one series of cutters for engaging, holding and advancing the sheets one at a time through the cutters; meansoperating to release the grippers at the completion of the cutting operation; a printing segment located between each adjacent pair of cutters of each series, supported to revolve therewith and adapted to print upon the sheets as they are being out; means for inking such printing segments and cooperating with each of such printing segments a supporting segment located between each corresponding adjacent pair of cutters of the other series and supported to revolve therewith.

ARTHUR 0. LA MAY.

Witnesses:

MARTHA M. NELsoN, @SBORNE F. GURNEY. 

